Cerrone (photo via YouTube)

By FCF Staff

Donald Cerrone didn’t make it out of the opening round in his first bout with Anthony Pettis. But, the longtime contender sounds confident that things will go differently, when the two battle on Saturday at UFC249.

Cerrone and Pettis have agreed to fight on the UFC 249 prelims, which the promotion only recently finalized. The two fought for the first time in 2013, and Pettis won the fight via first round, stoppage.

While talking recently about the upcoming rematch, and the fact it’s on short notice, Cerrone said this (quotes via MMA Fighting).

“It’s going to be a fun fight,” Cerrone said. “I know what Anthony can do. Stylistically, I match up very well with him. Fun fight, yeah, but the name never matters to me. I never really cared. I’m excited to get in there.

“Short notice, this is my wheelhouse. I’m the guy they can call any time, I’m ready to go and I’ll go in there and fight my ass off. That to me is more important than anything. That’s who I am. It’s cool. It’s fun. I love it.”

And while discussing the fact he came up short in his first bout with Pettis, “Cowboy” stated.

“Losing sucks – I don’t care who you are,” Cerrone said. “So it’s absolutely something I want to get back. This is my wheelhouse. Taking fights on short notice, when no one else is prepared, and mentally, I’m the strongest. I feel good. I feel hungry. Ready to go out there and do it.”

Cerrone (36-14) will be fighting for the first time since January, when he was quickly taken out by Conor McGregor.

Pettis (22-10), meanwhile, is coming off a submission loss to Diego Ferreira that same month.

UFC 249 is taking place in Jacksonville, Florida.